Trans-Canada Rail Adventure: Vancouver-Toronto
Overview
The Highlights
- Spotting Canadian wildlife from trains’ domes—big-horned sheep, elk, black bears, bald eagles, osprey
- Enjoying VIA Rail’s The Canadian, with all meals included, wine-tasting in the dome car, and your private compartment
- Tasty meals in the lovely diners of The Canadian and Rocky Mountaineer
- Private tours of Banff, Yoho National Park, Icefields Parkway and Niagara Falls
- Time to explore Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper
- Riding on some of the best equipment in the world on the Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf service, the double-decked dome cars with open-air platforms, and on The Canadian with its great dome observation cars
- 10 nights in luxury hotels in Vancouver, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Toronto. (note that one hotel night in Kamloops is considered moderate.)
- 3 nights in comfortable Prestige Class cabin on The Canadian, with private bathroom, all meals and drinks included, more.
The Tour
Take this legendary Trans-Canada rail tour on two first-class trains: The Canadian, with VIA Rail’s lovely service, including its luxurious Prestige Class, and the all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer train.
Travel from the energetic and diverse port city of Vancouver through the stunning Canadian Rockies, across the Prairie provinces before arriving into Ontario’s capital of Toronto.
View westbound Trans-Canada Rail: Toronto-Vancouver itinerary.
Countries Visited
- Canada
Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver
When you arrive in Vancouver, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to a modern icon of Vancouver, the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Consider dining in the hotel’s Michelin-recommended onsite dining.
Spend the rest of the day exploring scenic Vancouver on your own.
Accommodations: Fairmont Gold Harbour Mountain View Room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim.
Day 2: Vancouver to Kamloops
This morning, a private transfer will take you from the Fairmont Pacific Rim to the Rocky Mountaineer train station. Enjoy your day on board the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf service. Overnight in Kamloops.
Accommodations: Kamloops hotel. (B, L) (Please note that all accommodation in Kamloops is considered moderate.)
Day 3: Kamloops to Banff
Enjoy another full day on the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf service. Once you arrive in Banff, transfer to the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
Accommodations: Fairmont Gold Mountain View Room, Fairmont Banff Springs. (B, L)
Day 4: Private Banff Sightseeing
Begin the morning with included breakfast, after which you will enjoy a private sightseeing tour of Banff. Visit Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Banff Gondola is included. The rest of the day is free.
Accommodations: Fairmont Gold Mountain View Room, Fairmont Banff Springs. (B)
Day 5: Banff
Enjoy a day at leisure in Banff.
Accommodations: Fairmont Gold Mountain View Room, Fairmont Banff Springs. (B)
Day 6: Private tour of Banff to Lake Louise
Enjoy breakfast (included) before you meet your private transfer driver to be whisked away to the stunning Lake Louise. Often described as the crown jewel of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the striking turquoise waters of Lake Louise, Alberta, are perhaps the most photographed in all of Canada.
Enjoy a Traditional English High Tea with champagne while enjoying the scenic views of the lake.
Your evening is at leisure.
Accommodations: Fairmont Gold Lakeview Room, Fairmont Château Lake Louise.(B, high tea)
Day 7: Lake Louise
Enjoy a day at leisure in Lake Louise.
Accommodations: Fairmont Gold Lakeview Room, Fairmont Château Lake Louise (B)
Day 8: Private tour Lake Louise to Jasper
Private tour of Banff and Jasper National Parks via the Icefields Parkway. Highlights are Bow Lake, the Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls, and a ride on an Ice Explorer.
Arrive in Jasper early this evening.
Accommodations: Junior Suite Lakeview, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (B, L)
Day 9: Jasper
Enjoy a free day in Jasper.
Accommodations: Junior Suite Lakeview, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (B)
Day 10: VIA Rail from Jasper to Toronto
This evening, a private transfer will take you to the Jasper train station, where you will begin your four-day VIA Rail journey on The Canadian across the Prairie Provinces and Ontario, with all meals on board included.
Overnight on The Canadian in Prestige Class. (B, L, D)
Days 11-12: Onboard VIA Rail
Continue your rail journey across Canada to Toronto. Overnight on The Canadian in Prestige Class. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Toronto
Arrive in Toronto on The Canadian this morning. A private transfer will take you from the station to the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, for a two-night stay in a Deluxe Room. (B)
Day 14: Private tour of Niagara Falls
Enjoy a full-day private tour to Niagara Falls. Included is a boat tour to the base of Horseshoe Falls. Return to Toronto early this evening to stay overnight. (IMAX Theatre or Journey Behind the Falls is substituted when the Niagara Falls boat tour is not operating.) Overnight at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto in a Deluxe Room. (B, L)
Day 15: Toronto
Your Trans-Canada Rail Adventure ends with checkout from the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and a private sedan transfer to the airport. (B)
Dates & Prices
2023 Dates
October 1 - 15
*Train operating season is mid-April through mid-October. Contact us for availability.
| Travel season | Double | Single | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder season (April/early May/Oct) | From $14,900 | From $25,955 | 40% |
| High season (May to Sept) | From $16,010 | From $28,185 | 40% |
- Prices are per person in US Dollars and do not include Canadian GST (5%) or fuel surcharge.
- Pricing varies depending on the exact dates of travel.
- We include GoldLeaf Service on the Rocky Mountaineer and Prestige Class on the Canadian because we feel these classes are so superior to anything else offered on the train.
- Room upgrades from the listed room types are available; please inquire. The tour operates in the early Spring and late into the fall – but we recommend choosing a more moderate time to travel, from June through August.
Our Process
This is a suggested itinerary for a wonderful private journey. It will be fully customized for you. Please contact us at (800) 478-4881, or +1 (502) 897-1725, or email us at tourdesk@irtsociety.com, to schedule a brief conversation with one of our specialists to discuss our process.
Book Your Journey
Reviews From Our Travelers
All of our hotel rooms had spectacular views; we were always met as promised at the airports and train stations; and all of our guided tours were excellent.
Rocky Mountaineer upgraded all our hotel reservations through the trip. The bottle of Champagne sitting in our room in Vancouver was also a nice touch.
When our tour bus arrived at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff, we gasped at how beautiful it was. We emailed [Eleanor] right away to say how thrilled we were at her choice.
More
Take this legendary Trans-Canada rail tour on two first-class trains: The Canadian, with VIA Rail’s lovely service, including its luxurious Prestige Class, and the all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer train.
Time permitting, add a day at the beginning of your journey and experience an exciting day of whale watching in Victoria, where you’ll see orcas, humpbacks, and minkes.
B=Breakfast Included, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
*Note: The Vancouver-Toronto (eastbound) itinerary listed above is 15 days, with one fewer day in Jasper than the 16-day Toronto-Vancouver (westbound) itinerary. Please click here for the westbound itinerary.
Latest News: View Track 25, our blog, for the latest news about The Canadian’s Prestige Class as well as other news about our World’s Top 25 Trains™.
Inquire About This Journey
For dates and prices, please click here.
Questions? Our experienced luxury rail travel consultants are ready to help.